Anti-abortion groups say this only codifies current law, which already bans federal funding for abortion. “Our amendment does one very simple thing,” Stupak said on the floor. “It applies the Hyde amendment — which bars federal funding for abortion except in the case of rape, incest or the life of the mother — to the health care bill.”

Here’s the breakdown of the Stupak amendment:

Government Money: In general, government money cannot be used to pay for abortion. The government-administered health plan — often called the public option — will not cover abortion, unless a doctor certifies that a woman is in danger of death without one, or the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest.

If you get your health insurance through the government, or with help from the government in the form of a tax subsidy, your plan will not cover abortion. In this case, you would have the right to buy extra coverage — with your own money.

So it discriminates against poorer women. And Democrats hope their souls will be saved by having this language removed by the time it gets to final passage, praying that the Senate removes it.